The Princess of Wales’s transition in the public eye from “Kate” to “Catherine” was reinforced by deliberate royal briefings following her 2010 engagement, according to veteran broadcaster Simon Vigar.
Speaking exclusively to GB News ahead of the publication of his new book, The Four Wives of Windsor: The Inside Story of the Power Behind the Crown, the Channel 5 royal correspondent detailed the ongoing discrepancy between the princess’s given name and her enduring media moniker.
Mr Vigar, who has covered the British monarchy since 1997, addressed a specific passage in his upcoming biography regarding her dual identity.
In the text, he writes: “Friends in sixth form and uni called her ‘Kate’ – as William did – but to her family and childhood friends, she was always Catherine.”
Expanding on this dynamic, Mr Vigar recalled how the British press was officially guided to alter its terminology shortly after she formally joined the Royal Family.
Mr Vigar exclusively told the People’s Channel: “In the engagement interview in 2010, William calls her Kate, but very soon after that, we were getting briefed.”
During the November 2010 televised engagement interview with ITV broadcaster Tom Bradby, Prince William answered questions about his proposal in Kenya and referred to his fiancée as “Kate”.
However, behind the scenes, preparations were being made for her future role as a senior working royal.
During the November 2010 televised engagement interview with ITV broadcaster Tom Bradby, Prince William answered questions about his proposal in Kenya and referred to his fiancée as ‘Kate’
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ITV
Royal correspondents and media outlets were subsequently briefed by Palace communications staff to drop the informal university nickname in favour of her full Christian name.
Despite these official directives from the Palace, some media outlets continue to use her shortened name, though GB News’ style guide instructs reporters to use Catherine.
Mr Vigar noted the practical reasons behind this persistence within the news industry.
“Kate obviously works in a headline, like Di and Meg, but in the years after, we were getting briefed that it’s Catherine,” he said.
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The Princess of Wales pictured in Italy earlier this year, where fans held the sign ‘Ciao Kate’
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GETTY
The royal correspondent also highlighted the differing naming conventions used internationally, particularly in the United States, where audiences and news outlets have combined her former nickname with her royal status.
American television networks and digital platforms frequently utilise this specific phrasing to maximise audience recognition and digital search traffic.
“Americans, as you know, call her Princess Kate, which is funny,” Mr Vigar added.
Under strict British royal protocol, the title of princess followed immediately by a first name is reserved exclusively for women born directly into the Royal Family, such as Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, or Princess Charlotte.
The Harvard Guest book signed by Catherine, Princess of Wales during a 2022 visit to Massachusetts
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GETTY
As a woman who married into the institution, she is formally Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Despite the enduring international popularity of the name Kate Middleton and its various royal iterations, Mr Vigar was definitive about how she is addressed within her most private circles.
“Her family have always called her Catherine,” he concluded. “She’s definitely Catherine.”